In addition to initiating legislative reforms in a number of sectors, Italy has adopted a new governance model for attracting investment. The goal is to coordinate the activities of the public administration at the central and regional level and to provide foreign investors with one contact, the ICE-Agency (Italian Trade Agency – ITA).

PRIDE & PREJUDICE CAMPAIGN

Pride and Prejudice - What You Don’t Know About “Made in Italy” presents a series of competitive levers of the Italian economic system, maybe not so well-known but which provide a more reliable representation of a country characterised by a solid manufacturing sector, a diversified economy and a deeply-rooted export culture.

Italy is ranked sixth among OECD countries and fourth among European countries for Gross Domestic Product, Italian production constituting more than 13% of the European Union’s GDP. As a result of the nature of its productive system, Italy’s division into sectors of economic activity is similar to that of the principle European countries, with 27.7% devoted to manufacturing and construction and almost 70% to services. Of this latter sector, trade, transport and communications absorb an above average portion of GDP as compared with other European countries. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Italy is a crucial crossroads for land, sea and air routes linking the North and South of Europe. The Italian market offers countless opportunities to businesses in expansion, with almost 60 million consumers and a GDP ranked fourth in the European Union. Thanks to its strategic placement, Italy makes it easy to reach the 396 million consumers of the other Union member countries and the 240 million of North Africa and the Middle East. It has also taken a leading position on the European market (11%), with an annual turnover of approximately 65 billion euro. Of all European countries Italy has the lowest start-up costs for the biotechnology sector, and takes second place for product testing in research and development, chemicals and electronics.

MACRO-ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK

A link on the Bank of Italy web site homepage leads to the publications section, which provides access to economic, statistical and monetary policy services in Italy.

Particularly interesting in this section, for the purposes of an accurate and updated analysis of the national economic picture, is the Bank’s Economic Bulletin, which is updated in November and March of each year.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Ten reasons to invest in Italy

Italy ranks among the world's top economies and markets, is a key world player in manufacturing and international trade and a strategic gateway to european and mediterranean markets.Read the brochure made by ITA, the Italian Trade Agency, on ten good reasons to invest in Italy.